Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones

• US 7,933,252 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morris, Michael D., Kubler, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed; Salman
• Assistant Examiner(s): HALIYUR, VENKATESH N
• Application Number:
  US10/783,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20050083872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,622 Days
• Field of Search: 370217-503
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 3/0908 using a phase locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1615 Switching on; Switching off, e.g. remotely battery saving circuits associated with selective call operation H04W52/00; details of power consumption reduction in a PLL, H03L7/0802, H03L7/14, H03L2207/08, H03L2207/18; muting amplifiers by gain control see H03G3/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0802 using antenna selection H04B7/0868 takes precedence; antenna beam directivity switching H01Q3/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 : by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0003 : by switching between different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 : Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 : Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1671 : the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1685 : the supervisory signal being transmitted in response to a specific request, e.g. to a polling signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/12 : Modulator circuits; Transmitter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/14 : Demodulator circuits; Receiver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/156 : with demodulation using temporal properties of the received signal, e.g. detecting pulse width
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 : Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/48 : Routing tree calculation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 : Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 : Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 : In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1095 : Inter-network session transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 : Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 : Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 : adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 : including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 : Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 : managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 : TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 : in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/22 : Manipulation of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 : Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user. A voice session and associate call setup simulates that of conventional telephone switching network, providing well-understood functionality common to any mobile, remote or stationary terminal, phone, computer, etc.

Claims

1. A voice communication circuit comprising:

at least one processor operable to packetize digitized voice information to produce at least one voice packet;

a buffer operable to store the at least one voice packet;

interface circuitry operable to communicatively couple the buffer with one of a plurality of interchangeable network interfaces, each of the plurality of interchangeable network interfaces supporting communication of voice packets via an associated type of communication network;

the at least one processor operable to reduce the quantity of voice packets communicated by changing the packetization based upon a level of voice activity;

the at least one processor operable to determine the associated type of communication network supported by the one of the plurality of interchangeable network interfaces in communication with the interface circuitry;

the at least one processor operable to perform call setup based upon the determined associated type of communication network; and

the at least one processor operable to cause transmission of voice packets via the one of the plurality of interchangeable network interfaces based upon the associated type of communication network.

2. The voice communication circuit of claim 1 wherein the voice packets are packetized according to an Internet protocol (IP).

3. The voice communication circuit of claim 2 wherein the Internet protocol (IP) comprises the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

4. The voice communication circuit of claim 1 wherein the associated type of communication network is a wireless packet network.

5. The voice communication circuit of claim 4 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

6. The voice communication circuit of claim 4 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

7. The voice communication circuit of claim 4 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

8. The voice communication circuit of claim 1 wherein the associated type of communication network comprises a wired network.

9. The voice communication circuit of claim 8 wherein the wired network comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

10. The voice communication circuit of claim 8 wherein the wired network comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

11. The voice communication circuit of claim 1 wherein the interface circuitry is compatible with a Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association (PCMCIA) standard.

12. The voice communication circuit of claim 1 further comprising

converter circuitry operable to convert a voice stream into digitized voice information.

13. The voice communication circuit of claim 1 wherein the voice stream comprises an analog signal.

14. A voice communication circuit comprising:

interface circuitry operable to communicatively couple with one of a plurality of interchangeable network interfaces, each of the plurality of interchangeable network interfaces operable to communicate via an associated type of communication network to receive at least one voice packet;

a buffer operable to store the at least one voice packet;

at least one processor operable to depacketize the at least one voice packet to produce digitized voice information;

the at least one processor operable to determine the associated type of communication network supported by the one of the plurality of interchangeable network interfaces in communication with the interface circuitry;

the at least one processor operable to adapt call setup based upon the determined associated type of communication network;

the at least one processor operable to cause the reception of the at least one packet via the one of the plurality of interchangeable network interfaces based upon the associated type of communication network; and

the at least one processor operable to cause conversion of the digitized voice information to produce a voice stream and to adjust the buffering of voice packets in order to minimize gaps in the voice stream, wherein the adjusting is based upon a propagation delay of a communication network.

15. The voice communication circuit of claim 14 wherein the voice packets are packetized according to an Internet protocol (IP).

16. The voice communication circuit of claim 14 wherein the associated type of communication network is a wireless packet network.

17. The voice communication circuit of claim 16 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

18. The voice communication circuit of claim 16 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

19. The voice communication circuit of claim 16 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

20. The voice communication circuit of claim 14 wherein the associated type of communication network is a wired network.

21. The voice communication circuit of claim 20 wherein the wired network comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

22. The voice communication circuit of claim 20 wherein the wired network comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

23. The voice communication circuit of claim 14 wherein the interface circuitry is compatible with a Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association (PCMCIA) standard.

24. The voice communication circuit of claim 14 wherein the voice stream is an analog signal.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections for implementing a voice communication system, the voice communication system operable to accept at any point in time one of a plurality of interchangeable network interfaces, each of the interchangeable network interfaces for use with an associated type of communication network, the code sections executable by a computer for causing the computer to perform the operations comprising:

detecting the presence of an interchangeable network interface;

determining the associated type of communication network for use with the detected interchangeable network interface;

performing call setup of the voice communication system based upon the determined associated type of communication network;

establishing a packet voice call via the associated type of communication network;

converting analog voice information to transmit voice packets;

sending the transmit voice packets via the associated type of communication network using the interchangeable network interface;

receiving voice packets via the associated type of communication network using the interchangeable network interface; and

converting the received voice packets to analog voice information, wherein converting the received voice packets to analog voice information comprises buffering voice packets for an adjustable period of time to avoid gaps in the analog voice information, and wherein the adjustable period of time is based upon a propagation delay.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 25 wherein the associated type of communication network comprises a wireless network.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 26 wherein the wireless network communicates at approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 26 wherein the wireless network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 25 wherein the associated type of communication network is a local area network.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 25 wherein the associated type of communication network comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 25 wherein the associated type of communication network comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage of claim 25 wherein converting analog voice information to transmit voice packets comprises:

reducing the volume of transmit voice packets based upon a level of voice activity.